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Former Niger Delta Militants Blast Sheikh Gumi

By
bvichannel1
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Former militant leaders from the Niger Delta region have described as “provocative” the recent statements by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi against the Nigerian government, saying he failed to speak out against the kidnappings, maiming and killings in the country.

The former Niger Delta warlords asked “Gumi and his likes” where they were when former President, Muhammadu Buhari, “used Nigeria’s infrastructures and souls of Nigerians to borrow money.”

They also warned Sheik Gumi against actions that would provoke the people of the Niger Delta region.

The ex-militant leaders under the auspices of the Movement for the Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta (MSDND) in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Ayibatekena Olodin, expressed the suspicion that Sheik Gumi, like in the shameful days of Boko Haram killings, was allegedly representing groups of corrupt individuals who plunged the country into an abysmal state.

MSDND, in the statement, described Gumi’s utterance as disheartening, noting that some individuals still engaged in hate speech and divisive rhetoric, seeking to use religion to sow seeds of discord among Nigerians.

“We have resolved to point out to Gumi and his likes that the massive fraud in the FCT including a garnishment order to the tune of $800 million against the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was perpetuated under a Northern Minister and a Northern President.”

“Minister Wike is only taking very hard decisions to restore the economy of the FCT.

“It is a sad reminder that Gumi could not speak out when his alleged sponsors were kidnapping, maiming and killings Northerners under the guise of Islamist fundamentalists. Where was he when former President Buhari used Nigeria’s infrastructures and souls of Nigerians to borrow Money? Suddenly, he has turned to an activist against FCT administration.”

“We challenge Sheik Gumi and his cohorts to mention a State Governor that has performed in their Northern states such as Nyesome Wike since advent of democratic rule. Wike is the Pride of the Niger Delta region.”

The MSDND strongly called on the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Dele Alake to ensure that the revenues from the Mining of precious minerals such as Gold are domicile in the nation’s treasury, warning that failure of the Northern States to allow collective revenue into the nation’s purse would force the youths from the Niger Delta to truncate crude oil exploration and deny Northern states from the benefits.

They argued that President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dele Alake should embark on an urgent review of mining policies and ensure revenue from mining activities are domicile in nation’s purse, “we stand ready to champion this cause to ensure that all revenue from our nation’s resources be brought into the national treasury.”

“We are ready to cut off the Northern states from crude oil exploration revenue if the monies from mining activities are not domicile with the Federal Government.”

Over 15 Protesters Languish In Lagos Prison Three Years After #EndSARS – Amnesty

By
Adamma Ikeogu
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Amnesty International has said that a total of fifteen protesters arrested in 2020 are still being arbitrarily detained three years after the #EndSARS protest that took Nigeria by storm.

According to a statement by the international non-governmental organization on the third anniversary of the protest, the majority of the protesters are in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre and Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos without trial. It noted that the Nigerian authorities have filed trumped-up charges including theft, arson, possession of unlawful firearms, and murder against many of the protesters, adding that some of those detained alleged that they had been subjected to torture.

“Our investigation shows the Nigerian authorities’ utter disdain for human rights. Three years in detention without trial is a travesty of justice. This shows the authorities’ contempt for due process of law. The protesters must be immediately and unconditionally released,” said Isa Sanusi Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

Seven #EndSARS protesters – Daniel Joy-Igbo, Sodiq Adigun, Sunday Okoro, Olumide Fatai, Oluwole Isa, Shehu Anas, and Akiniran Oyetakin – arrested in Lagos in 2020, are being arbitrarily held in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, Amnesty International said. Daniel Joy-Igbo, a Beninois #EndSARS protester arrested in Lagos in October 2020, who has also been detained at the Bar Beach Police Station, the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, and at a SARS facility in Ikeja, told Amnesty International:

“Since my arraignment in December 2020, I have been locked up in the prison without trial. Since then, there has been no adjourned date for my case. I have not been taken to court since December 2020.”

Sodiq Adigun, also arrested in October 2020, who was previously detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, told Amnesty International:

“Let the government release me. I have been detained since 2020 without trial. I am innocent. My life has been shattered. I need my liberty.”

Eight #EndSARS protesters – Segun Adeniyi, Onuorah Odih, Jeremiah Lucky, Gideon Ikwujomah, Irinyemi Olorunwanbe, Quadri Azeez, Olamide Lekan and Sadiq Riliwan – have been detained without trial in Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos since 2020.
“All those detained solely for taking part in peaceful #EndSARS protests must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Isa Sanusi
Torture in detention

The Amnesty International report added that many peaceful #EndSARS protesters have been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment while in detention since 2020.

They include Oluwole Isa, currently held in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, who told Amnesty International how he was tortured while in detention at the SARS facility in Ikeja:

“I was tied with a rope. They bent me backwards and tied my hands and legs together at my back. An iron rod was passed in between my tied legs and hands. With the iron road, I was suspended on an iron bar. Then, they started beating me with a machete and wooden batons. They were forcing me to admit that I was involved in vandalism during the #EndSARS protests. When I could not bear the torture anymore, I told the Inspector that I would confess. At that point, I was almost going to die. He brought me down; I still have the scar of the machete cut on my throat …”

Source : Channel News

1999 Constitution Fits Nigeria Political Entity, We Believe In People’s Sovereignty – BDFCG

By
Joseph Albert
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Biafra Defacto Customary Government, BDFCG, says the 1999 Nigeria constitution has continued to serve as an instrument of oppression by allowing those in power to perpetuate their interests at the expense of the people.

It regretted that the oppressive constitution has been a driving force behind the excessive centralization of power, reminiscent of the colonial era.

In press statement available to our Correspondent, the Pro-Biafran group, while describing the 1999 constitution as instrument of neo-colonialism in disguise, said it has continued to enable the Nigeria central government wield disproportionate and unchecked power; to the detriment of the Nigerian people.

Giving an instance, the group recalled that “as far back as 1944, the colonial government promulgated the Minerals Ordinance, a decree that vested all subsurface rights and minerals in Nigeria in the central (colonial administrator), and later the federal government, regretting that the unjust arrangement persists to this day.

It however called on citizens to be at the forefront to play their civic roles, saying that the time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to unite in their demand for a constitution that serves the people, and not the interests of a select few.

Details of the statement:

1999 CONSTITUTION FITS NIGERIA POLITICAL ENTITY –
Biafra De Facto Customary Government believes in People’s Sovereignty

https://bhradvocates.com/post.php?post=138

The fitness of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution is strongly evidenced by the various irresponsibilities emanating from government organs and agencies. This is currently exemplified by the recent deliberation of the National Assembly to procure 360 brand-new Toyota Prado SUVs, each valued at N160 million, for members of the House of Representatives, amidst the ‘multi-dimensional’ impoverishment of more than two-thirds of the population.

The World Health Checklist for the comity of nations ranks Nigeria as a failed political entity. Unfortunately, stakeholders and abstract citizens continue to display a carefree attitude toward such a consolidated alert. Of course, the frameworks and outcomes for any nation under such conditions are symbolized in the Constitution, with its disastrous chain of results.

BDFCG believes it is high time for us not to shy away from our responsibility. Enough of shame and pride games. Citizens must be able to truly participate and be represented in all matters that have to do with their sovereign rights.

It is a stark reality that the 1999 Constitution, often touted as the supreme law of the land, has served as an instrument of oppression, allowing those in power to perpetuate their interests at the expense of the people. This oppressive constitution has been a driving force behind the excessive centralization of power, reminiscent of the colonial era. In short, it’s neo-colonialism in disguise. The central government, from the time of colonial administration to the neo-colonial era, has wielded disproportionate and unchecked power, to the detriment of the Nigerian people. As far back as 1944, the colonial government promulgated the Minerals Ordinance, a decree that vested all subsurface rights and minerals in Nigeria in the central (colonial administrator) and later the federal government. Shockingly, this unjust arrangement persists to this day.

However, enough with the embattled colonial excuses. Despite decades of struggle and governance changes, there has been no orchestrated demand for a comprehensive revision of the ownership of subsurface rights, allowing the central government to maintain its vice-like grip on these essential resources.

The current generation of politicians, unfortunately, has moved even further away from this historical pattern and has instead exacerbated it. The recent irresponsible deliberation by a pivotal organ of the Constitution demonstrates a blatant example of the insensitivity that pervades the corridors of power.

Though often sprouting statements about civic duty and collective awareness, like that of former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili’s warning that “you all (constitutional lawmakers) are the biggest threat to our democracy”, we must emphasize that a day cometh, and very soon too, when it will be your fed-up Nigerian citizens, not the military, who will rise up and collectively chase all of you grossly irresponsible and insensitive people out of office.

As for BDFCG, the action for remedy is multifaceted. Citizens must be at the forefront to play their civic roles, just like other state organs and agencies – lawmakers, the military, etc.

The time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to unite in their demand for a constitution that serves the people and not the interests of a select few. Constitutional sovereignty resides in the people, not in juntas, bandits, or the ruling class.

Prosper Odinga
Spokesperson, BDFCG
Phone: +19173465419
Email: biafradefactogov@gmail.com

Policeman Expresses Concern Over Citizens’ Poor Response To Recruitment Exercise

By
Joseph Albert
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A concerned citizen and police officer at the force headquarters Abuja, name withheld, has expressed concern over poor response to police recruitment exercise by Anambrarians.

In a statement available to our Correspondent, the concerned policeman said it has been noticed that Anambra State citizens have not taken advantage of the recruitment exercise by the Nigerian Police Service Commission, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force.
“Details of method of application are contained in the October 13, 2023 edition of The Daily Sun p9. or applicants are to visit www.apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng

He advised interested and qualified persons from Anambra State to apply to get enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as Police Constables; otherwise called recruits, adding that the need to have Anambra people recruited into the force cannot be overstated.
“The online application portal will be opened for the period of six weeks from 15th October to 26th November 2023”.

Obi Not Tinubu Won 2023 Presidential Election- Ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal

By
bvichannel1
-

Dr David Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), on Tuesday declared that the candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) Peter Gregory Obi, won the February 25, presidential election and not Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Babachir Lawal disclosed that President Bola Tinubu came a distant third in the number of votes scored.

The former SGF Babachir Lawal hinted that available factual data as aggregated from several independent sources indicated that Obi got the majority votes while Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party came second in the election.

Tinubu and Obi
Dr David Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), on Tuesday declared that the candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) Peter Gregory Obi, won the February 25, presidential election and not Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Babachir Lawal disclosed that President Bola Tinubu came a distant third in the number of votes scored.

The former SGF Babachir Lawal hinted that available factual data as aggregated from several independent sources indicated that Obi got the majority votes while Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party came second in the election.

“I have resisted the temptation to engage in the contemporary political discourse since the May 2023 election faux pas.

“I did this for two reasons; the first being that as an active player in the drama, I needed time to analyze and digest the data that led to the outcome(s), so I could arrive at an informed decision; the second, being that the rainy season had just set in and it was necessary that I focused my attention on my farms which are the mainstay of my livelihood.

“The current topical issues for political discourse and inquiry are whether or not Bola Tinubu won the presidential election and/or that he was apriori, qualified to participate in the election given his murky biodata as is now being publicly unveiled daily in an avalanche.

“My answer to the first inquiry is that regardless of whatever INEC or Appeal Court said or did, Bola did not win the election.

“Right from the start of the campaigns, Bola knew he was not going to win the election in a free and fair contest so he decided to go by all means,” Babachir Lawal said in a statement.

POLL

According to Lawal, “Available factual data as aggregated from several independent sources indicate that Obi got the majority votes while Atiku came second. Bola came a distant third in the number of votes scored.

“My answer to the second inquiry is that given the now unfolding deluge of uncomplimentary information about who or what he actually is, ordinarily, sound ethics and morality should have convinced him to voluntarily excuse himself from participation in the election.

“But this, notwithstanding, I believe he still has time and opportunity to save himself this public humiliation and embarrassment to his person, both locally and internationally by resigning so that he can give more attention to his health.

“After all, no one knows about the truism of these severely embarrassing and humiliating exposures about his person than the man himself.

“Leadership is all about integrity; sound pedigree, trustworthiness, and the ability to unite and instill hope and confidence in the people one seeks to lead. In these qualities, most Nigerians are in total agreement that Bola has them in very very short supply indeed.

“But now, six months down the line, the chicken has come home to roost as Nigerians have realized that we have not got what we deserve politically.

“Confusion and despondency are now all over the nation as no one trusts the government to do what it says it will do. No one trusts the leader, and no one trusts appointees who are appointed as rewards for their roles in the election or who had in the past helped him in his life.

“Bola the President and his group are now in government and are in full control of Nigeria’s vast resources and opportunities. They are enjoying their offices while Nigerians languish in insecurity, poverty, and hopelessness” the former SGF said.

Lawal stated that during the campaign, Bola mouthed some platitudes about competence; “but we are so far yet to see it reflected in his political appointments.

“It seems more like he is rewarding people who supported him to get the Presidency at all costs.

“This band of appointees that Bola is assembling into his government don’t care about Nigeria at all.

“Fuel prices will continue to gallop upwards until only they can afford it; the Naira will continue to race downhill in a free-fall until only they can afford anything in the market; insecurity will continue its escalation until every community in the nation is consumed by it” the Adamawa born polit

Tinubu: why S’Court can’t admit Atiku’s CSU evidence

By
Adamma Ikeogu
-

The Supreme Court cannot at this stage admit the fresh evidence sought to be tendered by Atiku Abubakar in his appeal challenging the outcome of the February 25 poll, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has argued. He urged the highest court to reject the purported fresh evidence Atiku and his party claimed to have obtained from the Chiacago State University (CSU).

Tinubu contented that the Supreme Court could no longer assume trial jurisdiction in the case since the 180 days for the hearing of the election petition had since lapsed.

He added that not only is the new evidence strange to the proceedings having not been presented during the trial, but Atiku and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who were joint petitioners at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), did not challenge the poll outcome on the ground of forgery.

Also, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, noted that Atiku and the PDP never pleaded before the PEPC any document or deposition from the CSU in support of their fourth ground on Tinubu’s alleged non-qualification.

Source : Nation  Newspaper

Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Rises To 26.72% As Food Prices Soar

By
Adamma Ikeogu
-

Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 26.72% in September 2023 amid soaring food prices and harsh economic realities occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy in May. The CPI, which measures the changes in the prices of goods and services, rose from 25.80% in August 2023 with an increase of 0.92% points.

“In September 2023, the headline inflation rate increased to 26.72% relative to the August 2023 headline inflation rate which was 25.80%,” the report partly read.

“Looking at the movement, the September 2023 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.92% points when compared to the August 2023 headline inflation rate.

“On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 5.94% points higher compared to the rate recorded in September 2022, which was 20.77%.”

Furthermore, the report said the food inflation rate in September 2023 was 30.64% on a year-on-year basis, which was 7.30% points higher compared to the rate recorded in September 2022 (23.34%).

“The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices of oil and fat, bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, fruit, meat, vegetables and milk, cheese, and eggs.

On a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in September 2023 was 2.45%, this was 1.41% lower compared to the rate recorded in August 2023 (3.87%). The decline in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by a fall in the rate of increase in the average prices of potatoes, yam and other tubers, bread and cereals, fruits, and fish,” the report added.

Source : Channels News

PICTORIAL: NIPOST staff reject newly appointed CEO, shut down head office

By
Adamma Ikeogu
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Workers of the Nigerian Postal Service have shut down the head office of the service in Abuja, protesting against the appointment of Tola Odeyemi as its Chief Executive Officer/Post Master General, on Monday.

It was reported President Bola Tinubu last Wednesday fired the former Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Postal Service’s Sunday Adepoju.

The President made this known through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints new leadership across the communications, innovation, and digital economy sectors.’

Source : Punch Newspaper

NDLEA intercepts 398,192kg illicit drugs, arrests 69 suspects in Kaduna

By
Adamma Ikeogu
-

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kaduna State Command on Monday, said it has seized 398, 192kg of illicit drugs and arrested 69 suspects in the state. The state Commander NDLEA, Ibrahim Braji, disclosed that the seizures and arrests were made in September.

Braji added that 14 illicit drug joints in the state dismantled were in Rigasa, Gwantu, Yankifi, Nasarawa, Television, and Romi. Others were in Kanti Agah, Kabala Doki, Tudun Wada, Agwa, Tirkaniya, Kakuri, Unguwar Mu’azu and Gabari Zaria City.

He stated that the 398,192kg of drugs seized included Indian Hemp, Cocaine. Methamphetamine, Tramadol, and Psychotropic substances.

Crude oil concealed in three polythene bags, one locally made pistol, and 14 rounds of blank ammunition, with 7.62mm live bullets were also seized within the same period, he added.

Others were in Kanti Agah, Kabala Doki, Tudun Wada, Agwa, Tirkaniya, Kakuri, Unguwar Mu’azu and Gabari Zaria City.

Source : Punch Newspaper

Ceasefire Plans Stall As Israel Intensifies Strikes On Gaza

By
Adamma Ikeogu
-

Hopes for a brief ceasefire in southern Gaza to allow foreign passport holders to leave the besieged Palestinian enclave and aid to be brought in were dashed on Monday, with Israeli bombardments intensifying ahead of an expected ground invasion. Residents of Hamas-ruled Gaza said the overnight strikes were the heaviest yet in nine days of conflict. Many houses were flattened, and the death toll rose inexorably, they said.

Palestinian media reported that Israeli aircraft bombed areas around Gaza City’s Al-Quds hospital early on Monday and ambulances at the facility were unable to move due to the strikes.

Israel has urged Gazans to evacuate south, which hundreds of thousands have already done in the enclave, home to about 2.3 million people. Hamas has told people to ignore Israel’s message.

Reserves of fuel at all hospitals across the Gaza Strip are expected to last only around 24 more hours, putting thousands of patients at risk, the United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) said.

In Tel Al-Hawa in Gaza City, Israeli planes bombed a main road and damaged surrounding houses, forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter in the Red Crescent’s Al-Quds Hospital, residents said.

Israeli planes bombed three headquarters of the Civil Emergency and Ambulance Service in Gaza City, killing five people and paralyzing the rescue services in those areas, health officials said.

Diplomatic efforts have been underway to get aid into the enclave, which has endured unrelenting Israeli bombing since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants that killed 1,300 people.

Israel has imposed a full blockade and is preparing a ground invasion to enter Gaza and destroy Hamas, which has continued to fire rockets at Israel since its brief cross-border assault. Israeli troops and tanks are already massed on the border.

Authorities in Gaza said at least 2,750 people had so far been killed by the Israeli strikes, a quarter of them children, and nearly 10,000 wounded. A further 1,000 people were missing and believed to be under rubble.

As the humanitarian crisis deepened, with food, fuel and water running short, hundreds of tons of aid from several countries have been held up in Egypt pending a deal for its safe delivery to Gaza and the evacuation of some foreign passport holders through the Rafah border crossing.

Earlier on Monday, Egyptian security sources had told Reuters that an agreement had been reached to open the crossing to allow aid into the enclave.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement: “There is currently no truce and humanitarian aid in Gaza in exchange for getting foreigners out.”

Hamas official Izzat El Reshiq told Reuters that there was “no truth” to the reports about the opening of the crossing with Egypt or a temporary ceasefire.

Egypt has said the crossing remained open from the Egyptian side in recent days, but was rendered inoperable due to Israeli bombardments on the Palestinian side.

The situation remained unclear at the Rafah crossing, the only one not controlled by Israel. Reuters journalists said a small crowd of people had gathered there waiting to enter Egypt.

The United States had told its citizens in Gaza to get close to the crossing so they can move out. The U.S. government estimates the number of dual-citizen Palestinian-Americans in Gaza at 500 to 600.

Washington is also seeking to secure the release of 155 hostages, including Americans, Israel says were taken by Hamas back into Gaza.

U.S. President Joe Biden stressed the urgent need to get humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in calls on Saturday with Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the White House said.

Biden has also urged Israel to follow the rules of war in its response to the Hamas attacks.

“The overwhelming majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with Hamas’ appalling attacks and are suffering as a result of them,” he said.

Source : Arise Newspapers

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